What is the Minimum Age for Work?

Exceptions include jobs such as babysitting, chores, delivering newspapers, and a few others.

The FLSA also bans minors from certain occupations considered hazardous, such as coal mining, using balers and compactors, roofing work, operating certain power-driving machines, and more.

Additionally, many states have their own child labor laws with higher minimum ages than the FLSA. In these cases, the higher minimum age always is taken.

Do I Need Working Papers?

Some states require working papers for those younger than 16, while others require them for anyone younger than 18. Some states don't require them at all.

The best place to find out if you need working papers is your school guidance office. If you need working papers, the counselors can give you the form you will need to complete or tell you where to get it.

How Do I Get Working Papers?

If you find out you need working papers, you can get these from your school guidance office.

You also can get them through your state department of labor by visiting the office, searching on the website, or calling or emailing the office.

What Information Will I Need to Give?

Requirements vary from state to state, but in general, here's what you will need to do to get working papers and to get them approved:

Obtain working papers/ certificate application from your school or state department of labor.

Obtain a certificate of physical fitness from your doctor. You may need to have had a physical within the last year.

Bring the completed application with proof of age (copy of birth certificate, a school record, school identification, driver's license, or another document that lists your age) to either your school or state department of labor.

A parent or guardian probably will need to come with you to submit the papers and sign the application. He or she also may need to come to obtain the papers.

Each certificate varies, but generally, you will be asked to give information such as your full name, date of birth, grade completed, and your parents’/guardians’ names.

Often, the certificate will expire after a certain period of time. For example, most are valid for about one year.

If you lose your working papers you can request a duplicate copy from the office that issued it.